Margaret Paleologa

What people wore

Lavish gift of a priestly vestment

In 1514, a diplomatic gift to the Pope included a priestly vestment embroidered with pearls and precious stones, valued at over 25,000 ducats.

Daily life

Practical schooling and early childhood guidance

Merchant children attended abacus schools that taught reading, writing, and arithmetic in a practical way specifically for trade. By age four or five, play toys like swords and hobby horses were used to direct children toward their future societal roles.

Work

The Rhythm of the Working Day

Workdays began at dawn and ended at sunset, regulated by church bells, with the number of effective work days per year estimated at only about 230 due to numerous holidays. Apprenticeships typically started between ages 10 and 11 and lasted at least 3 years, with families sometimes paying masters to host and train their children.

Music

Popular Carnival Songs and Street Performances

Ordinary people in Florence during the early 16th century enjoyed carnival songs, which were popular secular tunes performed during processions, parades, and street revelry. These songs often featured witty texts about trade guilds or products, such as the Song of the Chimney Sweepers, and were sung by costumed groups.

At the table

Monotonous diet for poor Florentines

Ordinary families had a monotonous diet based on unsalted bread, which was supplemented with inexpensive vegetables such as onions, fava beans, and black kale, or legumes instead of meat.

Getting around

Mountain travel time to Bologna

Travel between Florence and Bologna through the Apennine passes on horseback or mule typically took two to three days.

What it cost

Unskilled worker daily wages

An unskilled worker in Florence could earn between 7 and 10 soldi per day, often totaling less than 20 florins annually.